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22 Dec 2025
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Physics Paper 1: Key Required Practicals Overview
L
lola
@lola_3dks5
1 / 4
Specific Heat Capacity Practical
Ever wondered why some materials heat up faster than others? Specific heat capacity measures how much energy you need to raise 1g of a substance by 1°C - and you can measure this yourself with a simple experiment.
Start by placing a beaker on a balance, press zero, then add oil and record its mass. Pop a thermometer and immersion heater into the oil, then note the starting temperature. Here's the clever bit: wrap the beaker in insulating foam to stop heat escaping to the surroundings.
Connect a joulemeter to the immersion heater and run it for exactly 30 minutes. Record how many joules of energy went in and the final temperature of the oil. Use the formula C = ΔE ÷ (m × Δθ) to calculate the specific heat capacity.
Top Tip: The insulating foam is crucial - without it, your results will be completely off because heat will escape!
Thermal Insulation Investigation
Want to find out which materials are best at keeping your tea hot? This practical shows you how different insulating materials affect heat loss - perfect knowledge for understanding energy efficiency in homes.
Set up a small beaker inside a larger one, then pour 80cm³ of hot water into the small beaker. Use cardboard as a lid with a hole for the thermometer, making sure it sits in the hot water. Record the starting temperature and then take readings every 3 minutes for 15 minutes.
Repeat the experiment, but this time fill the gap between beakers with insulating material like bubble wrap. Try different materials, keeping the mass the same each time. You'll see how much difference good insulation makes to heat retention.
For testing thickness effects, use just one beaker and add layers of the same material rather than changing the type. The thicker the insulation, the slower the cooling - just like wearing multiple jumpers!
Remember: Use the same volume of water each time, or your results won't be comparable.
Resistance Investigations
Understanding electrical resistance is crucial for electronics, and these practicals show you exactly how current and voltage behave in different components. You'll use Ohm's law to make sense of your measurements.
For the wire length investigation, use an ammeter to measure current and a voltmeter for potential difference across the wire. Change the wire length using a ruler and crocodile clips, recording current and voltage at each length. Always turn off the current between readings to prevent overheating.
The current-voltage characteristics practical involves adjusting a variable resistor whilst recording ammeter and voltmeter readings. Switch the battery direction to reverse the potential difference and take more readings. You'll discover that resistors show a directly proportional relationship on your graph.
Try replacing the resistor with a lamp, then a diode with an extra resistor. Each component behaves differently - resistors are ohmic conductors, but lamps and diodes aren't!
Safety First: Keep current low with the variable resistor to prevent burns from hot wires.
Density Measurements
Density calculations (mass ÷ volume) are dead simple once you know how to measure volume properly. The method depends entirely on whether your object has a regular or irregular shape.
For regular objects like cubes, measure the sides with a ruler - for a cube, just cube the length to get volume. Find the mass using a balance, then pop both values into the density equation. Job done!
Irregular objects need a different approach because you can't measure their volume with a ruler. Find the mass first, then fill a eureka can with water. When you place the object in, it displaces water equal to its own volume.
Catch the displaced water in a measuring cylinder to find the volume, then use your density equation. This method works for any oddly-shaped object, from rocks to toy cars.
Pro Tip: Make sure the eureka can is completely full before adding your object, or the displacement method won't work properly.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Physics Paper 1: Key Required Practicals Overview
L
lola
@lola_3dks5
Physics practicals are essential skills you'll need to master for your exams, and they're actually quite straightforward once you know the steps. These four key experiments cover specific heat capacity, thermal insulation, electrical resistance, and density - all fundamental concepts... Show more
Specific Heat Capacity Practical
Ever wondered why some materials heat up faster than others? Specific heat capacity measures how much energy you need to raise 1g of a substance by 1°C - and you can measure this yourself with a simple experiment.
Start by placing a beaker on a balance, press zero, then add oil and record its mass. Pop a thermometer and immersion heater into the oil, then note the starting temperature. Here's the clever bit: wrap the beaker in insulating foam to stop heat escaping to the surroundings.
Connect a joulemeter to the immersion heater and run it for exactly 30 minutes. Record how many joules of energy went in and the final temperature of the oil. Use the formula C = ΔE ÷ (m × Δθ) to calculate the specific heat capacity.
Top Tip: The insulating foam is crucial - without it, your results will be completely off because heat will escape!
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Thermal Insulation Investigation
Want to find out which materials are best at keeping your tea hot? This practical shows you how different insulating materials affect heat loss - perfect knowledge for understanding energy efficiency in homes.
Set up a small beaker inside a larger one, then pour 80cm³ of hot water into the small beaker. Use cardboard as a lid with a hole for the thermometer, making sure it sits in the hot water. Record the starting temperature and then take readings every 3 minutes for 15 minutes.
Repeat the experiment, but this time fill the gap between beakers with insulating material like bubble wrap. Try different materials, keeping the mass the same each time. You'll see how much difference good insulation makes to heat retention.
For testing thickness effects, use just one beaker and add layers of the same material rather than changing the type. The thicker the insulation, the slower the cooling - just like wearing multiple jumpers!
Remember: Use the same volume of water each time, or your results won't be comparable.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Resistance Investigations
Understanding electrical resistance is crucial for electronics, and these practicals show you exactly how current and voltage behave in different components. You'll use Ohm's law to make sense of your measurements.
For the wire length investigation, use an ammeter to measure current and a voltmeter for potential difference across the wire. Change the wire length using a ruler and crocodile clips, recording current and voltage at each length. Always turn off the current between readings to prevent overheating.
The current-voltage characteristics practical involves adjusting a variable resistor whilst recording ammeter and voltmeter readings. Switch the battery direction to reverse the potential difference and take more readings. You'll discover that resistors show a directly proportional relationship on your graph.
Try replacing the resistor with a lamp, then a diode with an extra resistor. Each component behaves differently - resistors are ohmic conductors, but lamps and diodes aren't!
Safety First: Keep current low with the variable resistor to prevent burns from hot wires.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
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Density Measurements
Density calculations (mass ÷ volume) are dead simple once you know how to measure volume properly. The method depends entirely on whether your object has a regular or irregular shape.
For regular objects like cubes, measure the sides with a ruler - for a cube, just cube the length to get volume. Find the mass using a balance, then pop both values into the density equation. Job done!
Irregular objects need a different approach because you can't measure their volume with a ruler. Find the mass first, then fill a eureka can with water. When you place the object in, it displaces water equal to its own volume.
Catch the displaced water in a measuring cylinder to find the volume, then use your density equation. This method works for any oddly-shaped object, from rocks to toy cars.
Pro Tip: Make sure the eureka can is completely full before adding your object, or the displacement method won't work properly.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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Most popular content: Specific Heat Capacity
Most popular content in Physics
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user